Wave+

Wave+ is a major artwork proposal which rather than using
water as a medium to simulate the moving action of water waves it uses
two giant sized Tri-vision wave-action billboards. A series of well
over two hundred triangular panels each covered in black felt rotate
allowing primary coloured backlighting to escape between increasing and
decreasing gaps. The main central billboard sign has a written proverb
printed in large white letters along its length. The work is
accompanied by an audio soundtrack which uses slowed down sounds of sea
waves and wind. Two rectangular welded steel and aluminium frames hold
the whole structure in place on the floor. The work can be anticipated
to extend even longer or larger depending on the area proposed (up to
25m in length by 15m width max). The shorter billboard which cuts
vertically across the principal sign creates a large plus shape which
is a direct reference to positive polarity. The longer central sign is
effectively the opposite and therefore individually represents minus or
'negative' polarity (also known as feminine polarity = water, the
vertical which creates the plus or cross symbol is masculine polarity =
fire). At the central intersection of the two billboard signs
everything is mixed i.e. primary coloured lighting merge with the
sequences of wave movements and also sound. These two movements,
horizontal and vertical, of which the center crossing is the synthesis,
are an expression of the masculine and feminine principles in creation
as a whole i.e. mankind and all living creatures.
Apart from the sensory effects of the wave movements, the work strives
to address the relationship of water with the other three natural
elements.
The text in French (from an old Chinese proverb) appears like magic down the centre.
Prophetically it translates as: "no wind no wave, no water no wave
either" - "pas de vent pas de vague, pas de l'eau pas de vague non plus"
it repeats on every second and third rotations. Unlike vertically
placed publicity announcements, the work with its message unfolds
majestically along the ground and keeps repeating its choreographed
wave like movements, releasing colour and sound into space. The work is
therefore, essentially two dialogues 1) an ambiguous mix between the
subliminal use of public address and advertising, which the work
suggests through its text - a metaphoric suggestion of the impending ecological woe water faces today. And 2) a
moment to reflect, to be reminded of the rhythms and harmonious
movements of water as evoked through the wave cycles and their
interaction with primary light colours and reflections. This latter
dialogue takes us away therefore from the harsher black and white
notions of public address or advertised announcements and takes us
through mantric like repetitions of wave movements carrying with them
seminal messages of wisdom, movement and sound. This is a time to
reassess, revalue and connect ourselves with a sense of what water
really means to us. The viewer although not physically confronted
directly by the medium of water is importantly observing the fine
simulations of wave movements and creates his/her own internal water
synthesis and all that it represents as an essential life source and
energy. By so doing, the ambient safety and security of creating ones
own conclusions, visualisations and individual empathy with this most
vital element is where the message of the work hopes to communicate
most deeply, before we, as the human race, destroy it and potentially
lose sight of it altogether. At night time the work transforms and
allows the rhythmic wave movements to be seen dramatically by the brilliance
of coloured LED backlighting, escaping deliberately between the moving
prisms. In full primary colours, the night sky or darken arena housing
the work becomes ablaze with moving wave cycles of light, one after the
other - like the endless repeating movement of sea waves that continue
day and night.